U.S. patent application number 13/047923 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for variable position air damper for a refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to JAMES CHARLES LESLIE GUARINO, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL.
Application Number | 20110162393 13/047923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39817124 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110162393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUEHL; STEVEN JOHN ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
VARIABLE POSITION AIR DAMPER FOR A REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator, including a cabinet having top, bottom, rear and
opposing side walls that collectively define a freezer compartment
and a fresh food compartment, employs a cooling system and an air
plenum to deliver a cooling air flow into the freezer and fresh
food compartments. The air plenum includes a variable position air
damper having a first, substantially straight portion and a second
arcuate portion that forms an air scoop. The air damper is slidably
mounted within the air plenum between first and second positions.
The variable position air damper is selectively arranged in the
first position to efficiently deliver a volume of the cooling air
flow into the freezer compartment, the second position to deliver
the cooling airflow into the fresh food compartment or in an
infinite number of intermediate positions to deliver the cooling
airflow into both compartments.
Inventors: |
KUEHL; STEVEN JOHN;
(STEVENSVILLE, MI) ; GUARINO; JAMES CHARLES LESLIE;
(KALAMAZOO, MI) |
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
BENTON HARBOR
MI
|
Family ID: |
39817124 |
Appl. No.: |
13/047923 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11780179 |
Jul 19, 2007 |
7926298 |
|
|
13047923 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/89 ; 62/186;
62/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2400/06 20130101;
F25D 2700/12 20130101; F25D 2700/122 20130101; F25D 17/065
20130101; F25D 17/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/89 ; 62/408;
62/186 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/04 20060101
F25D017/04; F25D 11/02 20060101 F25D011/02 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having top, bottom, and
opposing side walls that collectively define a freezer compartment
and a fresh food compartment; a cooling system for developing and
delivering a cooling air flow for the freezer and fresh food
compartments; an air plenum interconnecting the cooling system,
freezer compartment and fresh food compartment; and an air damper
slidably mounted for linear movement within the air plenum, said
air damper including an arcuate portion defining an air scoop
slidably re-positionable to selectively deliver, or block, the
cooling air flow into each of the freezer compartment, the fresh
food compartment, and both the freezer and fresh food
compartments.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a
drive motor, said drive motor being operated to position the air
damper.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: a
freezer compartment temperature sensor; a fresh food compartment
temperature sensor; a plurality of control elements for selecting a
desired temperature in each of the freezer and fresh food
compartments; and a control unit operatively connected to the
freezer compartment temperature sensor, the fresh food compartment
temperature sensor, the plurality of control element and the drive
motor, said control unit activating the drive motor to selectively
position the air damper based on a sensed cooling need in each of
the freezer and fresh food compartments.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the air plenum
includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a damper portion
located between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, said air
damper being arranged in the damper portion of the air plenum.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a
fresh food plenum including an inlet portion, an outlet portion and
an intermediate portion, said outlet portion leading to the fresh
food compartment.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the air damper
includes a static portion and a sliding portion that collectively
define the fresh food plenum.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the static
portion includes a guide track, said sliding portion being
selectively shifted along the guide track.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a
door pivotally mounted at a passage disposed between the freezer
and fresh food compartments to selectively enable cold air to pass
from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment, said
sliding portion of the air damper being operatively connected to
the door through a linkage.
9. A method of delivering a cooling air flow from a cooling system
to one or both of a freezer compartment and a fresh food
compartment in a refrigerator comprising: sensing a need for
cooling in at least one of the freezer and fresh food compartments;
activating a cooling system to generate a cooling air flow;
selectively re-positioning an air damper, including an arcuate
portion forming an air scoop, along a linear path in an air plenum
interconnecting the cooling system, the freezer compartment and the
fresh food compartment; and guiding, or blocking, the cooling air
along the air scoop into each of the freezer compartment, the fresh
food compartment, and both the freezer and fresh food compartments
depending upon the sensed need for cooling.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: activating
a drive motor to slide the air damper between a first position
wherein cooling air is directed into the freezer compartment, a
second position wherein cooling air is directed into the fresh food
compartment, and a plurality of intermediate positions wherein
cooling air is directed into both the freezer and fresh food
compartments.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the air damper is
re-positioned through a linkage connected to a door pivotally
mounted at a passage between the freezer and fresh food
compartments.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the air damper slides
along the linear path in unison with the pivoting of the door.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the air damper is
manually re-positioned.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application represents a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/780,179, filed Jul. 19, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to the art of refrigerators
and, more particularly, to a variable position damper that can be
selectively controlled to deliver cooling air into a freezer
compartment and/or a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are many systems for delivering cooling air into
refrigerator compartments to maintain selected temperatures. In
some cases, the refrigerator is provided with two cooling systems,
one system delivering cooling air into the freezer compartment and
another, separate system, delivering cooling air into the fresh
food compartment. While effective, the manufacturing costs
associated such refrigerators are high. Moreover, operating
multiple cooling systems reduces an overall efficiency of the
appliance.
[0006] In other cases, cooling air is first delivered into the
freezer compartment to establish a freezer compartment temperature.
With this arrangement, cool air is directed from the freezer
compartment into the fresh food compartment to establish and/or
maintain a desired fresh food compartment temperature. Typically,
the cool air is guided through a passage that interconnects the
freezer and fresh food compartments. A damper is typically arranged
within the passage to selectively allow cooling air to pass into
the fresh food compartment when necessary, and close off the
passage absent a need for cooling air. Efficiency gains were
realized with the use of variable position dampers that control how
much cooling air is passed into the fresh food compartment.
Additional efficiencies were realized with the use of variable
capacity compressors and variable speed fans. As a demand for
cooling is sensed, instead of operating at maximum output, the
compressor and fans are driven at a speed sufficient to satisfy a
particular cooling demand.
[0007] Unfortunately, the energy savings realized in known systems
that employ dampers is limited. Usually, most of the cooling demand
is required in the freezer compartment. In situations where the
fresh food compartment requires a small adjustment, the cooling
system needs to overdrive the freezer compartment in order to have
sufficient cooling air to siphon off to the fresh food compartment.
In some cases, a demand for cooling in the fresh food compartment
is not met until the freezer compartment also requires cooling. In
order to address this problem, some manufacturers position the
damper between the cooling system and both the freezer and fresh
food compartments. In this configuration, the damper is positioned
to deliver cooling air into one or the other compartment depending
on a particular cooling demand.
[0008] In one such arrangement, the damper is positioned at an
opening in a side wall of an air plenum. The damper is shifted to
allow cooling air into one, the other or both of the freezer and
fresh food compartments. While effective, the particular geometry
of the damper leads to inefficient air transfer. Back pressure,
created by turbulences in the air flow, impedes delivery of cooling
air into one or the other compartment. When the damper is
positioned to allow air to pass into both compartments, the back
pressure results in the volume of air flowing into each compartment
to be unregulated.
[0009] Based on the above, despite the existence of refrigerator
air delivery systems in the prior art, there still exists a need
for a refrigerator air delivery system that employs a variable
position damper to deliver air to multiple refrigerated
compartments either individually or simultaneously. Moreover, there
exists a need for a variable position damper that includes an air
scoop to reduce air turbulence and efficiently deliver cooling air
into freezer and/or fresh food compartments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to a refrigerator
including a cabinet having top, bottom, rear and opposing side
walls that collectively define a freezer compartment and a fresh
food compartment and, more particularly, to a cooling system that
develops and delivers a cooling air flow into the freezer and fresh
food compartments. The cooling air flow is guided through an air
plenum that interconnects the cooling system with the freezer
compartment and the fresh food compartment. In accordance with the
invention, a variable position air damper is slidably mounted
within the air plenum. The variable position air damper includes a
first, substantially straight portion which leads to an arcuate
portion that forms an air scoop. The air damper is selectively
positioned to deliver the cooling air flow into the fresh food
and/or freezer compartments, with the air scoop minimizing air flow
turbulences, thereby creating efficiencies in the air flow.
[0011] In further accordance with the invention, the refrigerator
includes a drive motor that selectively positions the damper to
deliver the cooling air flow into the freezer and/or fresh food
compartments. Operation of the drive motor is established by a
control unit. The control unit is linked to temperature sensors
located in the freezer and fresh food compartments. Upon receipt of
a signal from a temperature sensor, the control unit selectively
activates the drive motor to establish a position of the air damper
to satisfy a sensed cooling need.
[0012] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the air
damper slides between a first position, wherein cooling air is
diverted into the freezer compartment, and a second position,
wherein cooling air is directed into the fresh food compartment.
The air damper can be selectively arranged in an infinite number of
intermediate positions to deliver cooling air into both the freezer
and fresh food compartments. Preferably, at least a portion of the
air damper is formed from a flexible material that facilitates
transition between the first and second positions.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the air damper slides along a longitudinal axis of the
air plenum. More specifically, the air damper slides along a guide
track positioned within the air plenum. With this arrangement, the
air damper can be selectively positioned in a first position,
wherein all of the cooling air passes to the freezer compartment,
and a second position wherein all of the cooling air passes to the
fresh food compartment. As with the first embodiment, the air
damper can be placed in an infinite number of intermediate
positions to control a volume of cooling air being delivered to
each of the freezer and fresh food compartments, with the air scoop
advantageously reducing air flow turbulence to increase air flow
efficiency.
[0014] Additional objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more readily apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in
conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer
to corresponding parts in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view of a side-by-side
refrigerator incorporating a variable position air damper
constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an upper left perspective view of the variable
position air damper system of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the variable
position air damper system of FIG. 1 in a first position wherein
cooling air flows into a freezer compartment of the
refrigerator;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a variable position air damper system of FIG. 1
shown in a second position wherein cooling air flows into a fresh
food compartment of the refrigerator;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial, plan view of a side-by-side
refrigerator incorporating a variable position air damper system
constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention shown in a first position allowing all the cooling air to
flow to into the freezer compartment; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 5 with the variable position air damper system
of FIG. 5 in a second position allowing all the cooling air to flow
into the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a refrigerator, generally
indicated at 2, is shown to include a cabinet 4 having a top wall
6, a bottom wall 7 and opposing side walls 8 and 9 that
collectively define a freezer compartment 12 and a fresh food
compartment 13. Freezer compartment 12 includes top, bottom and
opposing side walls 15-18, with side wall 18 forming part of a
mullion 21 which separates freezer compartment 12 from fresh food
compartment 13. In the embodiment shown, refrigerator 2 actually
constitutes a side-by-side model. However, it should be understood
that the present invention can be employed in various types of
refrigerators, including top mount, bottom mount and French door
style models. In any case, fresh food compartment 13 is shown to
include a plurality of shelves 22-24 used to support various food
items, as well as a plurality of storage bins 26-28 for storing
items such as vegetables, meat and dairy products. Freezer
compartment 12 can also include shelves, bins and the like which
have been omitted for the sake of clarity in the drawings.
[0022] In a manner known in the art, refrigerator 2 includes a
control panel 31 which enables a consumer to set desired
temperatures for freezer compartment 12 and fresh food compartment
13. Towards that end, control panel 31 includes a plurality of
control elements 33 and 34 each being associated with a
corresponding display 35 and 36. As illustrated, control panel 31
is operatively connected to a control 40. Control 40, in a manner
also known in the art, receives inputs from the plurality of
control elements 33 and 34, as well as temperature sensors 42 and
43 located within freezer compartment 12 and fresh food compartment
13 respectively, to establish the need for cooling. More
specifically, upon sensing a need for cooling, control 40 activates
a cooling system 44 having at least a fan 46 that directs a cooling
air flow into freezer compartment 12 and/or fresh food compartment
13 to establish and maintain the selected temperatures. In
accordance with the invention, cooling air is directed along rear
wall 19 of freezer compartment 12 through a variable position air
damper system 50 and into freezer compartment 12 and/or fresh food
compartment 13 as will be discussed more fully below.
[0023] As best shown in FIG. 2 which illustrates a first embodiment
of the present invention, variable position air damper assembly 50
includes an air plenum 59 having a main body portion 60 including
an inlet section 62, an outlet section 63 and a damper portion 65.
As shown, damper portion 65 includes a variable position damper 68
that is arcuately, slidably mounted within air plenum 59. Damper 68
is provided with an outlet 69 that selectively delivers cooling air
into freezer compartment 12 and/or fresh food compartment 13.
Towards that end, damper 68 is operatively connected to a drive
motor 71. Drive motor 71 is selectively operated by control 40 to
slide damper 68 between a first position shown in FIG. 3, wherein
cooling air flows only into freezer compartment 12, and a second
position shown in FIG. 4, wherein cooling air flows only into fresh
food compartment 13. Depending on a demand for cooling, as signaled
by sensors 42 and 43, control 40 can selectively operate drive
motor 71 to orient damper 68 in an infinite number of intermediate
positions to allow a desired volume of cooling air to pass into
both freezer compartment 12 and fresh food compartment 13. The
particular position of damper 68 is determined by the volume of
cooling air necessary to establish the selected temperature for
freezer compartment 12 and/or fresh food compartment 13. The
greater the need or demand for cooling, the larger the volume of
cooling air is passed into a particular compartment. In any event,
drive motor 71 slides damper 68 about an axis defined by first and
second wheels 73 and 74.
[0024] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, air
flowing from inlet section 62 exits air plenum 59 and either passes
into freezer compartment 12 or flows upward through outlet section
63 into a fresh food air plenum 80. As shown, fresh food air plenum
80 includes an inlet portion 83, an outlet portion 84 and a curving
intermediate portion 85. Outlet portion 84 preferably registers
with a channel or passage 89 that interconnects freezer compartment
12 and fresh food compartment 13. Passage 89 is provided with a
one-way flapper valve or door 90 that is selectively positioned to
control a flow of cooling air passing from fresh food air plenum 80
through passage 89. Door 90, although not a required component,
advantageously prevents reverse moisture migration from fresh food
compartment 13 to freezer compartment 12.
[0025] In further accordance with the embodiment shown, damper 68
includes a first or substantially straight portion 97 that leads to
a second or arcuate portion 99 including a solid portion 99a and an
open portion 99b that is established by a plurality of strips
100-102 which collectively define outlet 69 that opens upward to
create a preferential air flow which circulates about freezer
compartment 12. In the most preferred form of the invention, damper
68 is formed from a flexible material that allows damper 68 to
readily transition between the first and second positions. More
specifically, when damper 68 transitions from the first position to
the second position, arcuate portion 99 slides along a rear wall
103 of air plenum 59. By forming arcuate portion 99 from a flexible
material, this transition is smooth, reliable and repeatable. In
addition, arcuate portion 99 includes a concave surface (not
separately labeled) that defines an air scoop. The air scoop
enhances flow characteristics of the cooling air passing over
damper 68. More specifically, the air scoop minimizes turbulence in
the cooling air flow such that the airflow is channeled or
smoothed, i.e., substantially laminar. By ensuring that the cooling
air flow is channeled or smoothed, any back pressure caused by
turbulence(s) in the air flow which could inhibit or reduce the air
flow passing into freezer compartment 12 is virtually
eliminated.
[0026] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 5 and 6, where like
reference numbers represent corresponding parts in their respective
views, in describing a variable position air damper assembly 50'
constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention. Air damper assembly 50' is arranged within an air plenum
131 that is located in an upper rear portion of freezer compartment
12. Air plenum 131 includes an inlet opening 132 that enables
cooling air to pass from cooling system 44 into freezer compartment
12 and/or fresh food compartment 13. While opening 132 is shown in
a central portion of air plenum 131, it should be readily
understood that the particular location and size of opening 132 can
vary in accordance with the invention. More specifically, air
damper assembly 50' includes a linear sliding damper member 138
arranged within air plenum 131. Sliding damper 138 includes a first
or static portion 140 that defines a guide track 141 and a second
or sliding portion 142 that selectively exposes inlet opening 132
as will be discussed more fully below.
[0027] As shown, sliding portion 142 includes a substantially first
or straight section 145 that interengages with guide track 141 and
a second or arcuate portion 146 that collectively defines, together
with static portion 140, a fresh food air plenum 148. In a manner
similar to that described above, arcuate section 146 includes a
concave surface that defines an air scoop which advantageously
enhances flow characteristics of the cooling air flow passing over
damper member 138. In accordance with the invention, damper 138 is
operated by an automatic, preferably temperature-based control
motor (not shown). The motor could take on various forms, such as a
solenoid, a wax motor, DC electric motor, or the like. In
accordance with another aspect of the invention, damper 138 is
driven by a linkage 150 interconnecting door 90 and sliding portion
142. Of course, if so desired, damper 138 could also be constructed
so as to be manually operated.
[0028] In accordance with the embodiment shown, control 40, upon
sensing a demand for cooling in either freezer compartment 12 or
fresh food compartment 13, activates cooling system 44 to develop a
cooling air flow. Depending upon the compartment(s) requiring
cooling, sliding damper 138 is selectively positioned relative to
inlet opening 132. If the demand for cooling is solely in freezer
compartment 12, sliding damper 138 is arranged in a first position
shown in FIG. 5, wherein the entire flow of cooling air is allowed
to pass into freezer compartment 12. In contrast, if the cooling
demand lies only in fresh food compartment 13, sliding damper 138
is shifted to a second position, such as shown in FIG. 6, allowing
all the entire flow of cooling air to pass through fresh food air
plenum 148 and into fresh food compartment 13. Of course, it should
be understood that the present invention can also selectively
position sliding damper member 138 in an infinite number of
intermediate positions to control the percentage of air passing to
both freezer compartment 12 and fresh food compartment 13. By
regulating the exposure of inlet opening 132, the volume of air
passing into each compartment 12, 13 can be selectively controlled
in order to tailor an amount of air flow to satisfy any cooling
demand in the compartments.
[0029] As indicated above, in addition to tailoring the air flow of
cooling air into each compartment, the present invention
advantageously employs curved or curvilinear surfaces that channel
or smooth the airflow in order to minimize turbulence. By ensuring
that the air flow is channeled or smoothed, air flow
characteristics are greatly improved, e.g., any back pressure that
would result from the creation of turbulences in the air flow is
negated. In this manner, the present invention ensures that the
desired volume of cooling air is passed into freezer compartment 12
and/or fresh food compartment 13. In addition to the efficiencies
created by the present invention, additional components, such as
variable speed compressors, variable speed fans and the like, can
also be employed to provide further efficiency gains for
refrigerator 2.
[0030] Although described with reference to preferred embodiments
of the invention, it should be readily understood that various
changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without
departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while each
variable position damper is shown to include a single outlet, a
bifurcated outlet can also be employed to direct air flow into
various portions of the fresh food compartment in order to avoid
temperature stratification. In addition, open portion 99b could be
formed by a plurality of openings or perforations. In general, the
invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *